Bash for Graham draws more reader comments

Kudos to John Boyle for his column, "Billy Graham's legacy secure, despite son's divisiveness." How true. Franklin Graham has tried for years to re-create his father in his own image. This is evidenced by the ads that ran during the last presidential election; constantly referring to President Obama as a Muslim; and the more recent "gathering" of right-wing conservative Republicans at the birthday bash. If these made up the "A-list," as a headline stated, I would hate to see the the "B-list." In spite of his flaws, Graham has never mixed his message with partisan politics. And, hopefully, that's the way people will remember him. Franklin should bow his head in shame for smearing his father's reputation with misleading attributions of political persuasion. Might this be called "bearing false witness?"Hayes Fletcher, Weaverville###I was sorry to see Billy Graham's ecumenical heritage stained by the far-right luminaries who dominated his 95th birthday party. With Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rupert Murdock and Greta Van Susteren, the star list was a who's who of those who think Jesus meant hard-hearted racism and war-mongering selfishness when he preached sharing, nonviolence, and compassion in the Sermon on the Mount. One only has to remember that Rev. Graham was the intimate spiritual adviser to, and activist for, President Lyndon Johnson as LBJ engineered his Great Society. It included a government War on Poverty and the Civil Rights Act. Graham also introduced Martin Luther King to the nation in his 1957 Madison Square Garden crusade, and he preached to the first integrated, mass gatherings in South Carolina and apartheid South Africa. He also proclaimed great Christian insights such as: "There are over 250 verses in the Bible on our responsibility to the poor. The disparity between rich and poor is going to change somehow, whether voluntarily or by law." Has Graham steered his evangelical brand towards these worshipers of Baal, or has some sinister takeover occurred in his ministry because he's too ill to prevent it?Bill Branyon, Asheville

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Bash for Graham draws more reader comments

Kudos to John Boyle for his column, 'Billy Graham's legacy secure, despite son's divisiveness.' How true. Franklin Graham has tried for years to re-create his father in his own image. This is